This document summarizes the Ministry of AYUSH's response to a question regarding the adequacy of AYUSH healthcare infrastructure in Amritsar, a border district of Punjab. The Ministry acknowledges the question raised regarding the potential lack of sufficient AYUSH infrastructure and manufacturing units in the Amritsar region.
The Ministry clarifies that public health is a state subject, and therefore the primary responsibility for ensuring adequate AYUSH infrastructure in Punjab, including Amritsar, rests with the State Government. However, the Ministry of AYUSH supports the development and promotion of AYUSH systems nationwide through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), implemented through State/UT governments, including Punjab. Financial assistance is provided under NAM for various activities based on proposals received through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs).
The National AYUSH Mission (NAM) supports several activities, including: operationalization of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs), now renamed Ayushman Arogya Mandir Ayush; co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs); upgradation of existing Government Ayush Hospitals; construction/upgradation of Ayush Dispensaries under government or panchayat control; establishment of new integrated Ayush Hospitals (10, 30, or 50-bedded); supply of essential Ayush medicines to government hospitals and dispensaries; Ayush Public Health Programmes focusing on community outreach; establishment of new Government Ayush Colleges in underserved states; and infrastructure support to Ayush educational institutions.
From 2014-15 to 2024-25, a total of Rs. 6902.92 lakhs has been released as Grant-in-aid for the implementation of various approved activities of SAAPs in different districts of Punjab, including Amritsar. This funding is allocated based on proposals received through the SAAPs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of AYUSH: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine.
Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha regarding AYUSH healthcare infrastructure in Amritsar.
Amritsar, Punjab: A critical border district adjoining the Pakistan border, located in the state of Punjab, India, that lacks sufficient AYUSH healthcare infrastructure.
Pakistan: Neighboring country bordering Amritsar district.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav: Minister of State IC of the Ministry of AYUSH who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Punjab: A state in India for which the Ministry of Ayush is implementing centrally sponsored scheme of National Ayush Mission.
National Ayush Mission (NAM): A centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of AYUSH through State/UT Governments for the development and promotion of AYUSH systems of medicine.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir: Renamed Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AYUSH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 960
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25th JULY, 2025
Special AYUSH Healthcare Infrastructure in Amritsar
960. Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla:
Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Amritsar being a critical border district
adjoining the Pakistan zero-line, lacks sufficient AYUSH healthcare infrastructure
and Ayurvedic manufacturing units despite growing demand in rural and border areas
and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government is planning to provide a special development package
under the AYUSH mission to expand production units, wellness centres and
Ayurvedic industries in and around Amritsar and if so, the details thereof ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) & (b): Public health being a State subject, the primary responsibility to ensure
sufficient Ayush healthcare infrastructure, wellness Centres & Ayurvedic
manufacturing units in the State of Punjab including Amritsar District lies with
respective State Government. However, the Ministry of Ayush is implementing the
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National Ayush Mission (NAM) through
State/UT Governments including Punjab for the overall development and promotion
of Ayush systems of medicine across the country by providing financial assistance
under different activities as per the proposal received through State Annual Action
Plans (SAAPs). The National Ayush Mission (NAM), inter alia, makes provision for
the following activities:
i) Operationalization of Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs) – now
renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush)
1ii) Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community
Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs)
iii) Upgradation of existing Government Ayush Hospitals
iv) Construction/Upgradation of Ayush Dispensaries under government or
panchayat control
v) Establishment of new 10/30/50-bedded Integrated Ayush Hospitals
vi) Supply of essential Ayush medicines to government hospitals and dispensaries
vii) Ayush Public Health Programmes focusing on community outreach
viii) Establishment of new Government Ayush Colleges in underserved states
ix) Infrastructure support to Ayush educational institutions, including
UG/PG/add-on/para-medical/pharmacy courses
As per the proposal received through SAAPs, Grant-in-aid of Rs. 6902.92 lakhs has
been released from 2014–15 to 2024–25 for the implementation of various approved
activities of SAAPs in different districts of Punjab including Amritsar.
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